In the quest for a bounce-back performance from Jose Quintana, the New York Mets (14-13) got just that in Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Mets would ride that performance and be aided by a walk-off, two-run home run by Mark Vientos to take the rubber match at Citi Field, 4-2 in 11 innings.
Quintana showcased brilliance on the mound for New York, orchestrating eight innings of masterful pitching. Despite a shaky start in the opening inning, he regrouped admirably, limiting the Cardinals’ offense to only one run courtesy of a fifth inning sacrifice bunt courtesy of Michael Siani.
With a total of three strikeouts and conceding only one run on 99 pitches, Quintana’s resilience was instrumental in stifling the St. Louis hitters. These hitters struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities all afternoon, going only 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Edwin Díaz came in and held his own with a flawless ninth inning with two strikeouts.
On the opposing side, Lance Lynn matched Quintana’s strong start, delivering a solid five innings for St. Louis. Despite yielding a solo home run to Francisco Lindor in the sixth inning, Lynn held his ground, allowing just one run on five hits. The Cardinals’ bullpen maintained the deadlock after Lynn’s departure, ensuring the game remained tied. The Mets would leave 10 men on base, posting a 1-for-16 mark with runners in scoring position on the afternoon.
The Mets attempted a rally in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, who reached base via walks, with Lindor adding a stolen base to his tally. However, D.J. Stewart‘s groundout and Tyrone Taylor‘s hard-hit ball to Cardinals shortstop Masyn Wynn, resulting in Lindor’s out at home plate, prevented the Mets from taking the lead. Jeff McNeil‘s subsequent groundout maintained the deadlock, leaving the score tied at one.
Reed Garrett stepped onto the mound and thwarted the extra runner from crossing home plate in the intense top of the 10th in inning, striking out two. Despite a missed opportunity in the preceding inning, the Mets sought redemption in the bottom of the 10th. Francisco Lindor’s sacrifice fly to right field advanced Brandon Nimmo to third base. Subsequently, Pete Alonso was intentionally walked but D.J. Stewart’s ground ball resulted in an inning-ending double play, preserving Matthew Lieberatore’s outing and keeping the game deadlocked at one.
In a pivotal moment in the top of the 11th, Brendan Donovan broke the tie with a single off Garrett, giving the Cardinals the lead. However, Donovan’s aggressive baserunning led to his downfall as he was tagged out in a rundown between first and second. Willson Contreras drew a walk with one out, but his aggressiveness cost him dearly as he was doubled off, misjudging a pop fly caught by Lindor to conclude the inning.
Mark Vientos. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Liberatore would stay in the game for another frame in the bottom of the 11th, and after getting the first two outs would surrender a two-strike, game-tying base hit to Harrison Bader. Bader drove in the free runner from third with two strikes and two outs. Mark Vientos would then hit a sinker 404 feet to center field past the leaping Siani to win the game in extras for the Mets, avoiding the sweep.
Statistic of the Game: First Mets Starter To Go Seven
Quintana bounced back brilliantly from his five-run start against San Francisco by shutting down the Cardinals’ offense for eight innings, striking out three and giving up three hits on 99 pitches. This performance was the first of a Mets starter to go past the seventh inning this season. To put an exclamation on it, after a meeting on the mound with manager Carlos Mendoza, Quintana was able to complete eight.
Player of the Game: Mark Vientos
After coming in as a pinch hitter late in the game, Mark Vientos made his presence known as he went 2-for-2 including the game-winning, two-run home run to win the game for New York.
A storyline to monitor going forward, with Brett Baty struggling, will Vientos slowly supplant Baty at third base?
On Deck
The Mets welcome another National League Central team to Citi Field, as the Chicago Cubs come to visit. Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.69 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs while Luis Severino (2-2, 2.67 ERA) looks to deliver a strong start on the mound for the Mets. The game will be broadcast on SNY and on WCBS 880AM at 7:10 pm ET.
